Novel Nest

Chapter 1 – A Playboy(?), and Yet a Virgin [Kaburagi Shun, 27 of April]  A year ago. I’d been so nervous around the time I’d just enrolled in this Hareoka High School, and every day I’d been on my edge and put on an effort to build up friendships starting from zero friends. At that time, just about everything had been fresh as well as fun, but on the other end, it had been both physically as well as mentally exhausting. While looking at the highly excited new first-year students wearing their brand new uniform, I got into a nostalgic feeling while putting on an air of seniority as I’d safely moved up to second-year. I entered the second-year classroom I was still not used to, and said my greeting that wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular. “Good morning.” “Good morning, Shun.” “Mornin’.” “Sup.” I got greeted back from all over inside the classroom. As soon as I sat down on my seat while having a friendly, light chat with several of my classmates, my friend Gakuto sat down on top of ...

Prologue: Vanity and Youth Putting on airs never leads to anything good. Even though I know that perfectly well in my head, I still can’t stop myself from clinging to pointless pride. Maybe that’s the painfully cringeworthy trait of us who are living out, in real time, the days adults nostalgically call “youth.” To me, vanity—putting on airs—is just another symbol of youth. The school caste system that brands you an introvert if you don’t try to look cool, and the conversations you can’t keep up with unless you push yourself a bit—those are all problems unique to adolescence. …So, well. When I think about it that way, maybe it can’t be helped—embarrassing as it is—that I froze up after panicking as a result of keeping up this stupid bravado. There’s a reason I’m rattling off all these excuses in my head to justify myself. No matter how much you try to look cool, the moment when you bare yourself always comes eventually. In more ways than one.   My gaze is naturally ...

 Prologue: Waking up to the Days of Youth "Even if you regret it, it's too late!" "I won't care even if you beg!" On the way back after submitting the divorce papers at the night window. While walking along the road, I was arguing with my ex-wife, Yuzuka. It was a sudden divorce triggered by a trivial argument, but the marital relationship had already cooled down. Even if I had stopped the divorce this time, it would have ended sooner or later. "If it was going to be like this, I should have divorced earlier! Now I'm free!" "Huh? Don't make me laugh! There's no freedom for a corporate slave!" "It's better than your restraint being gone!" "When did I ever restrain you!" "You would constantly contact me during work!" "It's your fault for not replying quickly! I'm the one making dinner, so at least contact me!" "I'm busy with work, unlike you! I don't have time to c...